A HAMPSHIRE amusement park has launched a second attempt to save one of its biggest rides.

Paultons Park, near Ower, has submitted another application to retain The Edge, one of two giant roller coasters that were built without planning permission.

Three months ago the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) rejected a proposal to keep both rides – The Edge and The Cobra.

The application was thrown out after 50 villagers living near the site complained about the screams made by people on the ride – a giant disc that travels along a 90-metre track at more than 40mph.

A subsequent application to retain only the Cobra was approved by the NPA last month.

Paultons Park was left with the choice of appealing against the earlier decision involving The Edge, demolishing the ride or moving it.

Other parts of the amusement park are covered by a lawful development certificate, which means the ride could be relocated without the need to obtain the NPA’s permission.

However, managers are anxious to avoid the expense of moving the rideand have reapplied for consent to keep it where it is.

A Paultons spokesman said: “We can move the ride as little as 200 metres and resite it without the need for further planning permission.

“Sense should prevail and the ride should be allowed to stay in its current position. Moving it will actually locate it nearer to our neighbours.”

Referring to complaints about the screams he added: “It is impossible to distinguish noise from The Edge from other rides at the park.

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“The Edge is not causing any environmental impact on the New Forest or the surrounding area.”

However, the decision to submit another application to retain the ride is bound to anger people living near the site, which attracts 500,000 visitors a year.

Villagers who opposed the first application to keep The Edge included David Allenby and his wife Maggie, who live at Home Farm, Ower.

Mr Allenby told the NPA’s planning committee: “Local residents tolerated increased levels of noise from the park until the Edge was installed.

“Forty people experiencing the thrill of this ride at exactly the same time, and the resulting synchronised screaming as the ride appears over the tree tops, has ensured that we have not been able to enjoy any tranquil pastime.

“The screams can be heard in many rooms within our home.”

The NPA has told Paultons Park to stop using The Edge following the rejection of its original application last October. However, a NPA spokesman said the amusement park had until February 28 to appeal against the enforcement notice.

A Paultons spokesman said The Edge would be operating when the park reopened on February 14 after its winter break.